Rapper Sleepy has announced that he will be filing a defamation lawsuit against his former agency, TS Entertainment, which recently made another criminal accusation against him, despite Sleepy’s victory in a five-year legal battle with the agency.

On April 10th, Sleepy revealed on his personal account, "The police dismissed the embezzlement complaint filed by my former agency against me in November last year, ruling 'no charges' last month."

He continued, "In September of last year, I won a civil lawsuit against my former agency, which had lasted five years, up to the Supreme Court. However, the agency has been constantly making unfounded claims and maliciously filing criminal complaints."

Sleepy added, "As the head of my family, I can no longer ignore my former agency’s actions. Therefore, I have decided to file a defamation lawsuit against them to hold them legally accountable." He expressed, "Another long legal battle may follow, but I made this decision so that no one, including myself, will face any unjust suffering."

He concluded by promising, "I will continue to show a humble attitude and strive to present a good image, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me."

Previously, in April 2019, Sleepy filed a lawsuit against his former agency, TS Entertainment, to confirm the non-existence of an exclusive contract. In December of that year, TS Entertainment filed a lawsuit against Sleepy, demanding compensation for damages related to broadcasting revenue distribution, contract termination, and more, totaling approximately 28 million KRW (about $19,257).

In January 2021, the first trial ruled in Sleepy’s favor, and TS Entertainment appealed. The second trial also ended with Sleepy winning, and TS Entertainment’s appeal to the Supreme Court was dismissed. After the Supreme Court’s ruling, however, TS Entertainment filed a criminal complaint against Sleepy and two of his former managers in November last year, accusing them of embezzlement and aiding embezzlement.

Below is Sleepy's full statement:

"Hello, this is Sleepy.

The police dismissed the embezzlement complaint filed by my former agency against me in November last year, ruling 'no charges' last month.

I won a five-year-long civil lawsuit in September of last year, which went all the way to the Supreme Court. However, my former agency has been constantly making unfounded claims and maliciously filing criminal complaints.

As the head of my family, I cannot ignore these actions any longer. Therefore, I have decided to file a defamation lawsuit against my former agency to hold them legally accountable. Another long legal battle may follow, but I made this decision so that no one, including myself, will face any unjust suffering.

I promise to continue showing a humble attitude and present a good image, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me."

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